College Essay Activity

The below post was written by Ms. Emily Minty  from the BHS Guidance Department

On September 25, 2015, all seniors attended a presentation by a panel of college admission representatives on the topic of the college essay. This event is coordianted and sponseored by the Natioanl Honor Society and the National Honor Society Advisors, Abby Abbot and Alex Allaire.

Panalists:  

Merrimack College James Cristiano cristianoj@merrimack.edu

Salem State Jacklyn Jackie Haas jhaas@salemstate.edu

Suffolk University Sara Morales smorales@suffolk.edu

UNH Kristin Butterfield Kristen.Butterfield@unh.edu

Harvard Meg Brooks-Swift mbswift@fas.harvard.edu 

Northeastern University Alice Smith ali.smith@neu.edu

UMass Lowell Doug Seed Douglas_Seed@uml.edu

Why an essay?

Only piece that comes directly from you, where you get to speak directly.

Convey who you are as a person and what you would bring to campus community.

Can give admissions rep material to advocate for you in committee.

Puts everything else into context.

Dos

• Draft, proofread, revise.
• Have one to two people look it over for you.
• Common app topics on how you overcame a problem could be way to share how you’ve changed and overcome.
• Feel connected to what you’re writing.
• Write about something that isn’t otherwise obvious in your application.
• Be authentic.
• Focus in on one small moment instead of the big picture.
• Pay attention to the question that you’re answering.
• Whatever you’re writing about, focus on how it impacted you.

Don’ts

• You don’t need the “perfect” topic. A mundane topic can still be a great essay.
• Let someone else write it for you or lose your voice in the process.
• Write all about someone else or sports event and not enough about you.
• Accidentally mention the wrong college name.
• Write outside your comfort zone or overdo it.
• Cliche topics: athletic injuries, don’t google “best college essays”, personal tragedies--make sure to focus on how these things affected you and how you’ve overcome.

College-Specific

• UMass Lowell-- Essay is only a focus if they’re on the fence based on GPA and test scores. Rec. letter from one teacher (about who you are as a student). 1-4 total.
• Salem-- Admission decision is purely based on grades and test scores. Do not require essay or recommendation letters. Recommend if need to share special circumstances. DO require it for Summer Bridge Academy, Honors program (emphasize time management skills)
• Harvard-- Essay is the chance to separate yourself. Encouraged to take advantage of optional supplemental essay too. Essay gets read by many people and goes to committees and is often read multiple times by same person. Also require SAT Subject Tests. Alumni interview is arranged after you apply.
• UNH-- Doesn’t offer interviews, but does offer one-on-one appointments with admission counselors. Rec. letter from guidance counselor only.
• Merrimack--Since SATs are not required, essay is  especially important. Extracurricular involvement is extremely important.
• Northeastern-- Holistic review of application, including essay. Looks at Extracurricular activities very closely. Require only one recommendation. Only send others if new information.
• Suffolk--Look at all pieces to see how student fits into community. Test scores will never be the reason that someone does or doesn’t get in, although there are certain majors that you need a minimum score for.

General

• Transcript is always the most important part of the application; to see if student is prepared to be successful in college.
• With extra-curricular activities, important that it’s clear that you had a real passion for things as opposed to just adding as many as you can. Does not only include school-affiliated activities.
• Recommendations from outside people can be interesting.
• Since requirements vary, make sure that you check with each college about their preferences and requirements

Senior College Planning Night

Senior Parents and Seniors are reminded that College Planning Night will be held on Thursday September 27th, 2012 at 6:30 in the Burlington High School Auditorium. The evening will cover a variety of topics in regard to the college selection and application process. The entire guidance staff will be at this event and we look forward to seeing you.

If you cannot make the event, it will be televised on BCAT. The showtimes will be posted soon.

"Academy Night 2012 "

Congressman John F. Tierney invites all high school students in Massachusetts’s 6th Congressional District who have an interest in learning more about the admissions process for one of the nation’s service academies, to attend Academy Night 2012 at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 19th, beginning at 7 PM on the Danvers campus of North Shore Community College.

Students who wish to attend the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy must send a completed application packet to Tierney’s Peabody district office by Nov. 1. During November, Tierney's Academy Review Board will evaluate each application, conduct interviews and make recommendations for names to be submitted for nomination to the respective academies in December.

For more information about applying to any of the service academies, contact Claudia Neidhardt in Tierney’s office at 978-531-1669

Class of 2013 Get Ready!!!

September is fast approaching and the BHS Guidance Department is looking forward to helping you make decisions in regard to the college selection and application process. We encourage you to continue using Naviance for your college search and selection process. In addition our Guidance blog has numerous resources that are designed to help you throughout this process. If you look under the college resource section on the right hand side of the blog you can find a wealth of information. Also we encourage parents to take advantage of the Blog and Naviance as well through this process. In a few weeks the Guidance Department will release our 2012/2013 Guidance schedule of events which includes Senior College Planning Night (September 27^th at 6:30) and other important Guidance related activities for all parents.  As a reminder all seniors are enrolled in study first semester. One of the primary goals of this study period is for you to connect with your guidance counselor to formulate a plan for post high school plans. Once again this is just a friendly reminder that summer can be used as a time to get a head start on college planning. See you soon.

International Science Essay Competition

The Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science is sponsoring an international science essay competition for high school students.  I am writing to ask your help in sharing this information with students in your schools who may be interested in participating.

By providing an interdisciplinary forum for sharing undergraduate research, the Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science highlights the important and exciting work being done by Dartmouth students and faculty.  Through the international science essay competition, the undergraduate editorial board seeks to include a broader array of voices in exploring the recent effects and future promise of science in our society.  A complete explanation of the contest, along with rules for participation, can be found online.

Schedule Update

Please keep in mind that besides taking a BHS course, students with schedule conflicts have the below options:

  

Option 1: Sign up for VHS. VHS is an on-line program that allows students to enroll in an on-line course. If you need to add one course that isn’t considered a graduation requirement, please feel free to sign up.

Although the program is available for schedule conflicts, this program can also be used for students in grade 10, 11 or 12 that wish to further advance in a specific academic area, take an AP course, or take a course that BHS does not offer.  Please click here for a link to the VHS Guidelines and click here for an application.

  

Option 2: Sign up for a Bay Path College Course. Bay Path College will offer a fall 2012 course. Students may enroll in this course in lieu of a Burlington High School course for the fall semester. Please remember that students are granted college credits for successful completion of this course. Please click here for an application. 

Lastly, if a student did NOT get into their first choice elective course, please call 781-270-1780 to be added to a waitlist for that course. 

Schedules are in the mail

Schedules are in the mail (mailed on 6/26). Please remember that all students must carry six academic courses each semester plus physical education and/or health. The one exception to this is if a junior or senior is enrolled in two or more AP courses.

Also if there is an error or omission in the schedule you need to make arrangements to correct the problem. If your schedule reads “Please Schedule an Appointment with Guidance” at the bottom then your schedule is invalid and it is imperative that you call to schedule an appointment. There are several options available:

·         Beginning Monday July 9th and continuing through July 26th, then again August 13^th to August 23^rd, Mr. Joseph Attubato, Support Services Coordinator, and several Guidance Counselors will be available (by appointment only) Mondays through Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Please call Mrs. Patty Lewis at 781-270-1780 beginning on June 25^th to schedule an appointment. 

·         Guidance Counselors will be available during the week of August 20^th through August 23^rd from 8 A.M. to 12 Noon. During this week, students will be helped on a first come first serve basis.

You are encouraged to correct any problems in your course schedule as early as possible.  Doing so will ensure a smooth opening of school for you. Also, please be advised that specific teacher requests cannot be honored

Bay Path College

Burlington High School in conjunction with Bay Path College is happy to offer a fall 2012 business course for Burlington High School seniors and juniors. This is an excellent opportunity for selected seniors (and juniors) to receive dual credit. Dual credit gives BHS students the opportunity to receive college credit and high school credit. Given that Bay Path has a satellite campus at BHS travel requirements are minimal. Click here for an application and details or stop by the Guidance Office to pick up an application.

"College Topics For The Summer" Guidance Breakfast

The Guidance Department will host a breakfast called “College Topics For The Summer”. The purpose of this breakfast is so the counseling staff can give a very brief overview of important tasks associated with the college selection and application process. Although this event is geared for parents of juniors, ALL parents are welcome to attend. Please join us for this informative event. We look forward to seeing you on June 13th at 8:30 AM in the BHS Lower Library. We ask that parents RSVP at 781-270-1780

Advice to the 8th Grade

The Guidance Department asked freshmen to give advice to the incoming eighth graders.  Here are some of their suggestions for the Class of 2016.

Academic advice:
Don't think that freshman year is easy.
Study really hard and don't mess around because you will miss something important.
Don't give up.
Be ready to work harder than you're probably used to.
Take classes and studying really seriously.
Choose an elective that interests you.
Prepare yourself for the classes you chose. Start preparing during the summer.
Be prepared for a lot of homework and projects - and do it!
Don't play games on your iPad during class. You won't learn!
Always do your homework because a wrong answer is better than nothing.
Do your work and stay on task.
Stay organized.
Prepare in advance for tests and quizzes.
Always try your best!
Good luck with your classes!  Study hard.

Personal:
Be open and out-going because mostly everyone at BHS is friendly.
Join lots of activities.
Don't be overwhelmed. It's not that different.
Don't worry too much about getting lost and not finding your class.
It's not as bad as everyone says it is.
Make close friends with the people here and BHS will be great.
Do sports. (Lots of kids recommended)
Visit the high school over the summer.
Join the band.
Participate in school events.
Enjoy it!



Three great quotes:
Come in with an open mind about everything and not listen to the experiences that other people had.

Work really hard at anything you do in high school and you will be successful and do great in high school!

Don't be scared.  It is a great experience. Just work hard and you'll be just fine.